Coffin Hunters Cosmic Dawn Review
Coffin Hunters
Cosmic Dawn
Bitter End Records
2026
You won’t hear me mention Ghost very often. Aside from their debut, I’ve simply never had much interest in the band. That said, I realize I’m in the minority, and their influence is becoming impossible to ignore. Ghost have somehow made it cool to embrace 70s-styled Rock again. Thankfully, most of the bands following that path aren’t relying on a gimmick to sell their music.
The latest band to cross my path with a slight Ghost influence is Santa Rosa, California’s Coffin Hunters.
While Coffin Hunters aren’t exactly newcomers, they’re brand new to me. The band is currently readying themselves to release their third album, “Cosmic Dawn”. After spending some time with the record, I can assure you there’s far more going on here than a simple Ghost comparison. The album is drenched in Proto-Doom and Progressive Rock influences, creating a sound that feels both familiar and expansive.
More than anything, Coffin Hunters remind me of Uriah Heep, particularly the classic “Demons and Wizards” era. There’s a grandiose, larger-than-life quality running through every track. I also hear traces of Finland’s Vinum Sabbatum, a band I hold in very high regard. I doubt that influence is intentional, as Vinum Sabbatum isn’t exactly a household name, but the similarities are there. Of course, there’s also a healthy dose of Blue Öyster Cult woven throughout “Cosmic Dawn”.
Vocally, Coffin Hunters are firing on all cylinders. The sky-high falsettos are impressive, and I really enjoy the way the vocalist rides above the melodies rather than simply following them. It gives the songs a bigger, more dramatic presence and adds to the album’s epic atmosphere.
There’s a subtle Metal undercurrent flowing beneath the band’s sound, but much of it is wrapped in layers of keyboards and vintage 70’s synth textures. Depending on your tastes, that can either be a major selling point or an occasional distraction. Personally, I found myself wishing for a little more bite at times. Thankfully, the album closes with a trio of absolute bangers: “Red Horizon,” “Nightmare Mass,” and “Blood Moon.” These tracks crank up the guitars, riffs, leads, and aggression while dialing back the keyboards, making for a powerful and satisfying finish.
Part of me wants to label Coffin Hunters as an Occult Metal band, but “Cosmic Dawn” spends most of its runtime firmly planted in Proto-Doom and Progressive Rock territory. That can be a challenging listen if you’re not into exploratory, atmospheric music or if you prefer your songs to be short and to the point. If you enjoy taking musical journeys, however, there’s plenty to sink your teeth into here. “Throw on Cosmic Dawn”, add a few mushroom caps and a couple of bong hits, and you’ll probably find yourself floating through space looking for wormholes, Wookiees, and whatever else is hiding beyond the horizon.